July may be coming to an end, but the summer is still goin' hard this year! We learned that we've been considered one of the best agents in the Chandler area, and we have 2 more articles written by our awesome friends at Happy Writers Co. about home security tips for frequent travelers and making your pool pet-friendly. Feel free to comment below on what you do for home safety and how you keep your pool pet-friendly for your fur babies!
Home Security Tips for Frequent Traveler The feeling of getting away and exploring the great beyond is exhilarating, but it can also cause anxiety. Home break-ins are one of the most feared crimes in the U.S., and many worry about their homes being broken into when unoccupied. Fortunately, there are many ways that your home can be protected when you’re away, and if you travel frequently, the following tips may prevent serious loss or stop a home invasion entirely. Make Your Home Look Occupied Scouting out your home and surroundings is usually the first step burglars take before deciding whether or not to make your home a target. The Bureau of Justice reported that 72 percent of home burglaries occurred when no one was home, and more home invasions take place during the day than at night. A few indications of an empty or rarely occupied home are an overgrown lawn, a full mailbox, dark interior lighting, closing your blinds (when you usually keep them open), or no car in the driveway. Recruit Friends, Family, or Neighbors to House Sit Developing a list of trustworthy friends, family members, or neighbors that can watch your home while you’re away is one of the best ways to protect your residence. House sitters are also helpful in maintaining your dwelling while you’re away and can manage plants, pets, trash, or trash cans. In addition, house sitters that can drop in, be in your home at various times throughout the day, or even better, stay the night will deter home invaders. At the very least, letting neighbors know when you’re away will keep caring eyes on your home, and any disturbances or suspicious activity can be acted on quickly. Set up a Few Security Protocols Frequent travelers should seriously consider adopting a full-fledged home monitoring service that provides cameras, active monitoring, sensors, and more. Either way, putting up an alarm unit and a camera (whether or not it actually works) is a good crime deterrent. A few other home protection add-ons to consider are motion lights, disconnecting your garage door, removing any extra spare keys from your home’s exterior, and installing a video doorbell that allows you to see who is coming to your door and engage with them via intercom. Doing so will enable you to speak to people who come to the door even if you aren’t home. Waiting to post travel photos until you return home, not checking in on social media, and keeping your travel plans under wraps are also proactive ways to prevent theft while you’re away. Critical Forget-Me-Nots to do Before Every Trip Remembering to prep your home for your departure is another task to add to your to-do list, but making sure to unplug unnecessary electrical items, clean up your yard, close windows, lock doors, check your water heater, and make sure that your home is winterized if you are leaving during cold weather will prevent long-term damage. Performing simple home health checks will ensure that you’re able to focus on your adventures when you travel and increase the likelihood that there are no unpleasant surprises upon your return.
0 Comments
Thank you to our friends over at Happy Writers Co. for giving us another insightful and very useful blog about keeping cool without A/C during a heat wave. What other methods do you use to keep yourself cool during the summer when your A/C goes out? Let us know! Our hot summer days are quickly moving from mere discomfort to a public safety issue. The world is getting warmer, and U.S. cities are projected to become significantly hotter by 2050. Unfortunately, air conditioners (AC) and even electricity are subject to failure under extreme heat. Following the tips below will help you create a much-needed backup plan versus counting on AC only to keep you cool 24/7 during heatwaves and extreme weather conditions.
Purchase Portable Fans Investing in portable electric and battery-powered fans before heat waves occur is highly recommended. Fans can be used to create a cross breeze when coupled with open windows. If achievable, ceiling fans should also be installed in as many rooms as possible in your home. Turn Off Your Lights Minimizing the use of electricity in your home will help to keep room temperatures low. Turning off lights, refraining from using your stove, and avoiding using anything electric that generates excessive heat will better cool your residence even without AC. Scout Out Cool Spots in Your Hometown Venting your home of heat that builds up and getting outside is a great way to cool off. During extreme heat waves, many local municipalities set up cooling centers for people who may not have working air conditioners. Check your local county’s website for more information on where these centers are located. Anywhere near the water will also be much cooler than your home, so spending the day by a pool, lake, or on the beach will help you stay refreshed during a heatwave. Create an Action Plan Before the Next Heatwave Preparing to deal with extreme heat before it happens is the best way to stay safe during a severe heatwave. Putting together an action plan, checking emergency equipment, and ensuring that your home can withstand excess heat is critical. Installing windows and sunshades that seal your home will help to keep cool air in and hot air outside. Adding or updating insulation will also help your home stay comfortable even if your AC fails. Learn to Identify and Treat Heat-Related Illnesses Knowing what the symptoms of heat illness are enables you to act quickly if you or a loved one experiences them. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can lead to severe medical conditions and should be taken seriously. Monitoring your own health and the wellbeing of those around you will help to keep loved ones safe during heat waves that are beginning to become more common across the globe. |